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Telegraph/Jeremy Wilson -Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock driven to promised land of Premier League by sense of injustice

“Well, what do you reckon?” asks Neil Warnock, tapping what is left of his stomach. “I’ve been doing the Dukan diet. Lots of protein. Only the odd glass of wine. I’ve lost 16 pounds since the end of last season. I feel fantastic — you should try it.”

QPR manager Neil Warnock driven to promised land of Premier League by sense of injustice

He’s certainly in good company. Pop star Jennifer Lopez and Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen are among the more glamorous converts and, in fairness, Warnock does look a picture of health and enthusiasm.

Earlier in the week, he had been to a launch event for the managers of the Premier League. And, as he describes the gathering, he sounds more like an excited fan than a seasoned 62 year-old with a career spanning three decades and two previous spells in the top flight. “I was talking to Arsène Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson and the young lad from Chelsea [Andre Villas-Boas],” says Warnock. “There are 122 countries represented in the Premier League. It is an amazing league. The best in the world. We are all very privileged.”

Whether Warnock’s glow will be so evident come the end of the season — or even at 5pm on Saturday — remains to be seen. After all, his previous experience of the 'best league in the world’ left him devastated and nursing a sense of deep injustice. Warnock had led Sheffield United, his home club, into the Premier League but they were relegated on the final day of the season in controversial circumstances. Not only did West Ham escape largely thanks to the goals of Carlos Tévez but Fulham also survived after winning their penultimate match against a largely reserve Liverpool team. It has taken Warnock four years to return to the Premier League and few would deny that he has done it the hard way. For Queens Park Rangers, Saturday’s match against Bolton Wanderers will be the first in the Premier League since 1996.

“I thought Sheffield would be my last club but, every morning, I thought about what had happened and the circumstances,” says Warnock. “It was just like having toothache really. I couldn’t finish like that.

“Simon Jordan [the club chairman at the time] kept pestering me at Palace and my whole life has changed since I met him. I remember everyone seeing us and thinking, 'disaster, how can those two work together?’ But we had a fantastic relationship. I got not just my confidence but my enthusiasm back.

“I wanted another opportunity to try and get back in the Premier League before I finished. The toothache has gone but the drive now before I finish is to stabilise the club in the Premier League. I don’t want to manage anywhere else. I’m going to enjoy it now we’re here.”

That enjoyment is likely to be contingent on two factors: whether the squad prove as strong as Warnock hopes and if he can continue to steer clear of the political machinations behind the scenes. Warnock is QPR’s 12th manager in five years and the summer has been dominated by rumours of further upheaval. At one stage, the club even felt the need to issue a statement confirming that Warnock was still their manager. The bookmakers currently regard Warnock as the most likely top-flight manager to lose his job, while QPR are third favourites for relegation.

Amit Bhatia, who was crucial to persuading Warnock to join QPR, resigned from the board in May while Tony Fernandes, the chief executive of Air Asia, has been in talks to buy a majority stake. Bhatia was especially unhappy with large increases this season in ticket prices, something that has enhanced the perception of QPR as a “boutique club”. Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore remain in control, meaning fans are as likely to spot supermodel Naomi Campbell in the directors’ box tomorrow as they are England coach Fabio Capello. Warnock is diplomatic on the delicate issue of a potential takeover.

“From the first 24 hours I was at the club there has been talk of a takeover and nothing has changed,” he says. “I have met Tony Fernandes, I thought he was very good to talk to but I don’t know all the ins and outs.

“There has been a lot of ups and downs at the club. I think that my experience has probably helped the whole situation. I’m not sure a younger manager could have coped as well as we have. But that’s a challenge of managing. You have to be patient, whether it is players or situations, and usually things evolve if you are patient and get on with my job.”

Warnock appears genuinely satisfied with the squad and the backing this summer from the board. He has landed Jay Bothroyd, Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer on free transfers and spent £1.2 million on DJ Campbell. He particularly targeted players with something to prove. “I think Kieron Dyer gets tainted with certain situations,” says Warnock, “but I’ve never met a more dedicated lad. He comes in at 8.30am. He is the first man here. You can see it has nothing to do with money. He is set for life with the contracts he has had. It’s a desire to get an opportunity to show what he can do.”

Warnock still hopes to make another “two or three” signings but scoffs at being linked with Joe Cole or Peter Crouch. “We couldn’t afford one of their laces let along their wages,” he says. “I’ve tried to get the players slowly and surely. I’m delighted with the lads we have got. The teams that have been promoted will get turned over here and there, we just have to get over that as quickly as possible. It will be difficult but I think we’ll have a fighting chance.” Telegraph

Swindon Advertiser/Gary Rose - SWINDON TOWN: Town in for Clarke- LEON Clarke is a target for Swindon Town boss Paolo Di Canio, the Advertiser understands.

The striker currently plays for QPR but is unlikely to break into the first team this year as they prepare to embark on their first season back in the Premier League.
- Clarke had a spell on loan at Preston last season but was unable to help the Lancashire side avoid relegation to League One.
- The 26-year-old is understood to be keen to make the switch to the County Ground but his wages are currently a stumbling block.
- Di Canio yesterday would not reveal the name of the player he was speaking with, but confirmed that both a loan and a permanent move are being discussed.
- “We have looked at both situations,” he told the Advertiser.
- “The problem is the wages and we have tried to speak about a loan for the season and see if we can bring him for this long.
- “This player played for two clubs in the Championship last season he did his job but he needs to start regularly and score goals.
- “He is young, 26, so he is at the age now when he needs to take off. This can be a big chance for him to come here. Obviously I don't promise first place to anyone but if he comes here at the beginning he would be the key man in our squad, he would still have to prove this day after day if he came.
- “I am sure he would score over 20 goals if he did come. It would be a big chance for him to score lots of goals because that would happen in the way we play.”
- Strikers Wilko Risser and Michael Wojtanowicz are currently on trial but Di Canio has ended his interest in Uruguayan forward Nicolas Raimondi, who spent a short time training with the club last week.
- “He was big but I believe we can have better and I believe that Michael can be better,” he added.
- “We need someone strong but we need someone who is able to run out and attack the box and not just stand around. We need a player who can also come short and always move. He (Wojtanowicz) has good feet and can make movement with his body every time. So we will see.”...
Swindon Advertiser